The marriage of Hollywood couple Ellen DeGeneres and Australian love Portia de Rossi, has prompted renewed criticism of the federal government's stance on same-sex marriages.
It was shameful the government would not recognise the couple's legal status, Australian Marriage Equality national convenor Peter Furness said today.
Same-sex relationships can be registered in Tasmania and the ACT, but the federal government opposes them having marriage status.
The Marriage Act was amended in 2004 to make it clear that marriage in Australia can only be between a man and a woman, and that same-sex marriages solemnised in other countries would not be recognised in Australia.
"Every time DeGeneres and de Rossi visit de Rossi's family in Australia, their rights, protections and status as a married couple will cease to exist," Mr Furness said.
"It is shameful that Portia de Rossi's solemn marriage vows are dishonoured in this way by the government of her home country."
Independent polling had shown almost 60 per cent of Australians supported same-sex marriage, Mr Furness said.
